Tesla Model S (2021-2025) Stage 3: S-APEX Brake System
$16,995.00
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Stage 3: Superlight Carbon Ceramic Brake System with Carbon Fiber Cooling Ducts is our ultimate street and track package for Model S Plaid and Long Range. It combines the Superlight Carbon Ceramic Front Big Brake Kit, Rear Superlight Large Sweep Carbon Ceramic Rotor + Pad Kit, and our carbon fiber brake cooling duct kit. You get hypercar level stopping power, over 40 pounds of unsprung weight savings, huge pad contact area, and ducted airflow that can cut rotor and caliper temps by more than 200 degrees.
Product Details
Stage 3: Superlight Carbon Ceramic Brake System with Carbon Fiber Cooling Ducts is the top tier option in our Model S Plaid brake lineup and a core choice within the S-APEX program. If you are looking for the most capable, most repeatable, and most confidence inspiring braking solution we offer for 2021 and newer Model S Plaid and Long Range, this is it.
The foundation of Stage 3 is the same hardware used in our Stage 2 package: the Superlight Carbon Ceramic Front Big Brake Kit (BBK) and the Rear Superlight Large Sweep Carbon Ceramic Rotor + Pad Kit. Together, they turn your Plaid’s braking system into something you would expect on a modern hypercar.
Up front, the BBK replaces the factory hardware with a 6 piston monoblock caliper clamping a 394 x 36 millimeter carbon ceramic rotor. Pad contact area nearly doubles compared to stock, with a 93 percent increase in pad to rotor surface. That means more mechanical leverage, more friction area to absorb energy, and more thermal capacity for repeated high speed stops. Unsprung weight drops by over 25 pounds, improving suspension response and steering feel while also trimming rotating mass for better efficiency.
The rear system matches this philosophy. A 365 x 28 millimeter carbon ceramic rotor with a 56 millimeter sweep annulus and large sweep pads delivers roughly 19 percent more pad contact area than stock, while cutting another 16 pounds of rotational weight. Combined, the front and rear conversions reduce unsprung, rotating mass by more than 40 pounds compared to iron brakes, making the car feel sharper and more agile in every driving mode.
Both front and rear rotors are carbon–silicon carbide designs with a lifetime wear warranty for the original owner, including unlimited track use. They are designed to last the life of the vehicle under normal pad service and do not rely on removable friction layers, so there is no need to send rotors out for re infusion. Our UP x PFC pad compounds are dyno and track tested specifically for these rotors, working quietly and consistently from cold street use to hot lapping conditions.
Stage 3 separates itself by adding a critical third piece: the Carbon Fiber Brake Cooling Duct Kit. This is the system we developed and refined over more than a year of competition at Pikes Peak and in multiple EV track record efforts. Front brakes do the majority of the work in slowing a heavy, powerful EV, and this duct kit is designed to feed them the airflow they need when you are driving at the limit.
Each side of the car receives a carbon fiber inlet, carbon fiber duct tube, high temperature flex hose, and a carbon fiber air guide at the rotor with integrated heat reflective shielding. The duct geometry is shaped to capture high energy air at the front of the car and route it directly into the cooling vanes and channels of the rotor. The result is even inside out cooling of the disc and caliper, rather than simply blowing air at the wheel face.
In testing, we have measured peak temperature drops of more than 200 degrees Fahrenheit at the rotor and caliper when the duct kit is in use. Lower temperatures extend pad and rotor life, reduce the chance of fluid boil, and keep pedal feel consistent deeper into a session. The more you push your Plaid, the more this margin matters for both performance and safety.
For daily driving and road trips, the kit includes removable magnetic covers for the front inlets. Snap them on to keep debris out of the ducts and to minimize any aero drag or range impact on long highway drives. Snap them off at the track or canyon and the full cooling system is ready to work. Installation replaces the factory metal dust shield without cutting, and uses factory style mounting locations. Professional installation is strongly recommended, including the necessary trimming or removal of the plastic front grille panel and a full brake system setup.
Because this package is designed for serious use, we also stress the importance of support components and maintenance. High temperature racing brake fluid such as Motul RBF 660 or Endless RF 650, proper bedding of pads and rotors, and regular fluid flushes are mandatory if you intend to use Stage 3 in high speed, high energy environments. The hardware provides a huge increase in capacity, but like any brake system, it is not immune to unlimited abuse or neglected maintenance.
For S-APEX builds and dedicated track or standing mile cars, Stage 3 is the natural choice. It offers supercar grade carbon ceramic hardware, dramatic reductions in rotating mass, lifetime rotor coverage, and a fully engineered cooling solution proven in the harshest EV racing conditions. On the street you get quiet operation, crisp pedal feel, and extremely low dust. On track you get consistency and confidence that lets you focus on driving, not on wondering whether your brakes will be there at the next braking zone.
Compatibility:
- This brake system will only be compatible with the following Tesla Model S years/generation: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
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Do carbon ceramic rotors really last, or will I be replacing them?
Both front and rear rotors carry a lifetime wear warranty for the original owner, including unlimited track use, and are designed to last the life of the vehicle under normal pad service. They do not use removable friction layers, so there is no sending rotors out for re-infusion. Drivers have run multiple full seasons on a single set of pads, which makes the long-term cost surprisingly reasonable.
Do I have to run special brake fluid with Stage 3?
For high-speed, high-energy use it is mandatory. The page calls for high-temperature racing brake fluid such as Motul RBF 660 or Endless RF 650, along with proper pad bedding and regular fluid flushes. The hardware adds enormous capacity, but no brake system is immune to boiled fluid or neglected maintenance. Fluid and temperature management are what keep the pedal firm lap after lap.
Will these carbon ceramics squeal or behave badly on the street?
No. The squeaks and grinds and the poor cold manners of early carbon ceramic systems are gone here. On the street you get quiet operation and a crisp pedal with extremely low dust, from cold mornings to hot track sessions. The UP x PFC pad compounds are dyno and track tested for these specific rotors so they work consistently from a cold parking lot to hard lapping.
Will installing this brake system void my Tesla warranty?
Fitting Stage 3 does not automatically void your Tesla warranty. Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, Tesla must prove an aftermarket part caused a specific failure before denying that claim. These brakes are engineered to work with the Tesla platform and are best installed by our certified team in Hawthorne or an authorized installer to minimize risk. Keep your factory brakes so you can revert if you ever need to.
What makes Stage 3 different from the Stage 2 brake system?
Stage 3 uses the same front and rear carbon ceramic hardware as Stage 2, then adds a critical third piece: the carbon fiber brake cooling duct kit. That duct system is what separates it. It feeds the front brakes the airflow they need at the limit, so Stage 3 is the pick for dedicated track cars and standing-mile runs, and for S-APEX builds where cooling is the difference between fade and consistency.
How much weight does this brake system take off the car?
The front big brake kit alone drops over 25 pounds of unsprung, rotating weight versus stock. The rear conversion cuts another 16, so the front and rear together shed more than 40 pounds compared to iron brakes. Removing that rotating mass makes the car feel sharper and more agile in every mode. It also improves suspension and steering response and trims spinning weight for better efficiency.
Does Stage 3 fit any Model S, or only certain years?
It is compatible only with the 2021 through 2025 Model S, covering both Plaid and Long Range on that generation. This is not a part for the 2012 to 2020 cars. If you have a qualifying 2021+ Plaid or Long Range and drive it hard, this is the top-tier system in the lineup, engineered specifically for that platform.
How much cooler do the ducts actually keep the brakes?
In testing, the carbon fiber brake cooling duct kit produced measured peak temperature drops of more than 200 degrees Fahrenheit at the rotor and caliper. Each side gets a carbon inlet, duct tube, high-temp flex hose, and a carbon air guide with heat-reflective shielding, routing air into the rotor’s internal cooling vanes for even inside-out cooling. Lower temps extend pad and rotor life while holding off fluid boil, and they keep pedal feel consistent deeper into a session.
Is this a job for professional installation?
Yes, professional installation is strongly recommended. Fitting the ducts replaces the factory metal dust shield without cutting, but the job includes trimming or removing the plastic front grille panel and a full brake system setup. This is a complex, safety-critical install at this power level, so our Hawthorne shop or an authorized installer is the right call rather than a driveway attempt.
What are the front and rear rotor specs?
Up front, a 6-piston monoblock caliper clamps a 394 x 36 mm carbon ceramic rotor, with pad-to-rotor contact up 93 percent over stock for far more friction area and thermal capacity. The rear runs a 365 x 28 mm carbon ceramic rotor with a 56 mm sweep annulus and large sweep pads, roughly 19 percent more pad contact than stock. Both are carbon silicon carbide designs.
Will upgrading my brakes void the Tesla warranty?
Tesla’s warranty covers factory-installed parts, but it does not automatically void your warranty if you install aftermarket components like Unplugged Performance brake kits. Under U.S. law (Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act), Tesla must prove that an aftermarket part caused a failure in order to deny warranty coverage. Our parts are engineered to work harmoniously with Tesla OEM Brake systems and can be professionally installed by Unplugged Performance in Hawthorne, CA or by an authorized installer to minimize risk. That said, any damage directly caused by misuse or improper installation may not be covered. We recommend retaining all factory parts so you can revert to stock if needed. Many Tesla owners enjoy peace of mind by using Unplugged Performance products, which are extensively tested and installed by certified professionals. If warranty concerns are top-of-mind, our team can help clarify compatibility and installation best practices to ensure a worry-free experience.
What does the Unplugged Performance product warranty cover?
Unplugged Performance offers a comprehensive warranty on all parts and installations performed by our certified technicians. Warranty coverage applies to defects in materials and workmanship on items including lowering springs, coilovers, big brake kits, brake pads, stainless steel brake lines, shocks, and more. Should any covered part fail under normal use or display premature wear, we will repair or replace it at no additional cost—assuming the component was installed by us or at one of our authorized partners.
This warranty is valid for 2 years or 24,000 miles, whichever comes first, excluding consumable products like brake pads, rotors, and tires, starting from the installation date. Coverage extends to labor for warranty repairs when performed by Unplugged Performance or an authorized installer. It does not cover damage resulting from misuse, accidents, off‑road use, improper installation not done by us, or modifications that aren’t factory-approved.
To file a warranty claim, simply contact our service team. We’ll guide you through inspection, shipping (if needed), and repair or replacement logistics. transparencia and top-tier support are what you can expect from Unplugged.
Will installing Unplugged Performance parts void my Tesla warranty?
Installing aftermarket parts does not automatically void your Tesla warranty. Under the Magnusson-Moss Warranty Act (www.sema.org/sema-enews/2011/01/ftc-validates-right-to-install-aftermarket-parts), a manufacturer cannot void your warranty simply because you installed aftermarket parts. Tesla must prove that the aftermarket part caused the specific failure in question to deny a warranty claim. UP recommends retaining all factory parts to allow reverting to stock if needed.
How can I find a dealer or authorized installer near me?
To find authorized installers or retailers of Unplugged Performance products in your area, please use the form on our website to provide your location details. This will help us connect you with an authorized installer nearby. You can find the form here.
What are the shipping options and times?
Unplugged Performance processes orders quickly, typically within 1–2 business days after placement. For U.S. customers, orders under $50 usually ship via FedEx SmartPost with an estimated delivery time of 2–7 business days. Larger items like body kits or bumpers may ship via freight carriers with curbside delivery; customers will be contacted to schedule a delivery window. International shipping is available to most countries, with shipping costs calculated at checkout. Delivery times abroad vary, generally ranging from 5 to 16 business days depending on destination. Import duties or taxes are the customer’s responsibility. To ensure a smooth shipping experience, provide accurate contact information during checkout. For specific questions or shipping quotes, Unplugged Performance’s support team is available to assist.
